I think you will always be better off working in the long term. Financially is just a small part of it, but it's loads better for self esteem confidence and for a start routine and to allow some human interaction.I had a job for 7 years which was largely work from home except for meetings about once a month. Even though I was working, I did become very isolated and had a very unstructured lifestyle. My present job allows me to work from home about 2 days a week and the ref of the week I have to be physically present and the structure of work and having a fixed schedule and human interaction had done wonders. This job sounds like it has a good progression and has above average salary. I would definitely go for it.

I completely agree with fatdogs. Monetary value aside, there's definitely something to be said of the sense of achievement/accomplishment you will get knowing that you can stand on your own two feet. Congratulations on the job!

Well done on the new job. I defintiely think working is better than being on benefits for many reasons. However it isn't always the money! When I earned £27k I took home about £1400 after tax, student loan and pension. If I'd been on income support, tax credits and housing benefit I'd have been taking home around £1200 but wouldn't have had the commuting and child care costs!